SANTA MONICA, Calif. Flooding in Pakistan continues despite the rains stopping two days ago. Reuters reports that more than 30 million people have been affected by the rains and subsequent floods. The AP said that Pakistan is on the “front line” of the world climate crisis and that at least 1,130 people died since the beginning of the monsoon season that started in June.
International aide has started to trickle into to Pakistan to help with the rebuilding of roads and infrastructure. Last month, The U.N. allocated $3 million in aide. But will this be enough?
Pakistan has reportedly over 7,000 known glaciers. As the temperature across the earth continues to rise, we can expect the glaciers – all over the world – to begin melting at an alarming rate. Pakistan will be one of the countries hardest hit by global warming. Asad Rehman, Executive Director of War on Want, told Amy Goodman of Democracy Now that the people living in the global south are unable to deal with the overwhelming climate crisis. Moreover,” he continued, what we need right now is the richest countries to live up to their responsibilities for the problems they may mainly created.
Pakistan, a country that has struggled with war, repression, and an inability to meet the climate crisis will undoubtedly be horribly impacted by the continued warming of the planet.